Indicating means for motor-propelled vehicles.



H. H. BOYCE.

INDICATING MEANS Foa Moon PRoP'ELLED vfHlcLEs. APPLICATION FILED 00T.II. |912.

1,275,654. PmndAug.13,191&

2 SHEETS-SHEET l.

\ :messes APPLICATION FILED OCT. Il. 1912.

Patented Aug. 13, 1918.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

WIT MESSE 8 HARRISON HUMBERT BOYCE, '0F OYSTEB BAY, NEW YORK.

INDIC-ATING MEANS FOR MOTOR-PROPELLED VEHICLES.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 13, 1918.

Application led October 17, 1912. Serial No. 726,270.

To all whom it may cof/wem.:

Be it known that I, HARRISON HUMBERT BoYoE, a citizen of the UnitedStates, residing at Oyster Bay, in the county of Nassau and State of NewYork, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in IndicatingMeans for Motor-Propelled Vehicles, of which the following, taken inconnection with the accompanying sheets of drawings, forms a completeand concise descri tion.

My present invention relates to in icating means associated with a motorpropelled vehicle, devised for the purpose of showing when trouble orabnormal conditions exist in the power plant thereof, whether suchconditions result from overheating, or from the temperature of theengine or its cooling system being too low for safe or satisfactoryoperation. Too high a temperature of the engine or power plant mayresult from various causes such as defective lubrication, lack `of oil,lack of water in the cooling system,

insufficient cooling ca acity of the cooling system, overloading o themotor, breaking of the fan belt, or improper adjustment of thecarbureter, and is dangerous, as it may result in serious accident, orinjury to the motor, such as the seizing of the pistons, in thecylinders, scoring or crackin of the cylinders, or other harm to the mecanisrn. In most instances continued operation of the motor is prevented,and in some cases the motor may be entirelyV ruined. Too low atemperature of the motor is also most undesirable as it doesv not permiteiiicient or economical operation, and may prevent proper carburatlonand combustion, result- 111g in the motor missing with consequent lossof power, in fact sometimes rendering continued operation of the motoraltogether impossible. There is also danger in cold weather of the waterespecially the pump, or radiator becomin Lfrozen, thus preventingcirculation and a fording no protection against unexpected immediate anddangerous overheating of the engine.

The principal object, therefore, of I n present invention is to providemeans whic may be organized in connection with the power plant of amotor driven vehicle for indicating to the driver of the vehicle at inthe cooling system,

all times the working condition of the engine and for rendering itpossible for him to ascertain the existence of abnormal, and especiallydangerous and possibly destructive thermal conditions of the engine,which means by reason of the construction and arrangement thereof, maybe easily read by the driver of the machine from his seat, obviating thenecessity of close inspection to determine the existence of suchabnormal conditions.

A more specific object of the invention which is accomplished by theform of the invention particularly described and illustrated herein,relates to the provision of an instrument of the character aboveindicated mounted on the radiator of the vehicle substantially in theline of vision of the driver while driving, whereby enabling the driverto observe the instrument and keep himself infomed as to the conditionsof operation of the engine without requiring him to divert his attentionfrom the operation of driving.

Referring to the accompanying drawings in which I have illustrated onepreferred embodiment of my invention, I will proceed to describe thisform, having it understood that I do not wish to be restricted in thematter of details, as the same may be altered or varied withoutdeparting from the spirit o'f the invention.

Figure 1 is a view of a preferred embodiment of my invention, showingthe face of the instrument vlsible from the drivers seat of theautomobile.

Fig. 2 is a view of the reverse side of the instrument.

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view, taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 2,showing the same attached to a radiator cap, and a fragmentary portirlof the radiator.

Fig. 4 is a view of the indicator attached to an automobile and showsthe manner in which the indicating thermometer is thrown into relief andmade visible at night by the illumination of the head lamps of themachine.

Referring in detail to these drawings, the numeral 1 indicates theradiator of an automobile, 2 the water inlet therefor, 3 the cap to theradiator inlet 2, detachably secured to which is the indicator by meansof an integral annular ange 4, and a screw-threaded protuberance 5,washer 6, and lock-nuts 'I and 8. The body or frame portion of the in#dicator with which the iiange 4 is integrally formed is indicated by thenumeral 9, the same being annular in form, and is provided with aninteriorly-extending portion 10, which serves Vto support the crystalsand retaining rings when assembled. The crystals are indicated by thenumerals 11 and 12, and the retaining rings by the numerals 13 and 14.15 indicates a disk-plate provided with a sight-openin 16, and arelatively smaller opening 17, or the accommodation of the projectingend or teat of the tube of the thermometer 18. The thermometer 18 ispositioned centrally of the device and is supported in, but thermallyinsulated from, the frame of the device by a concrete or othernon-conducting llin 19. The lower or bottom portion of the t ermometerextends well below the cap 3 of the radiator, this portion beingprotected by a metallic thimble or cap 20, which is provided with aplurality of perforations or holes 21. The upper portion of thethermometer is fastened and held securely to the plate 17 by means of aVstrap 22, the plate 15, crystals 11 and 12, retainin rings 13, andframe 9 being all securely eld together `in assembled relation by Ineansof suitable screws 28. The crystals 11 and 12, if desired, may bemagniying crystals, enlargin the appearance of the thermometer in o erthat it may be more easily observed and read from the seat of the car.The plate 15 is positioned to the rear of the thermometer 2, and itsfront face is provided with suitable graduations 24, to indicate thedegree of rise and fall of the mercury within the tube. The scale orgraduations serve to indicate approximately the temperature ofthe waterin the radiator,

thereby constituting a guide for the operator in driving the motor atproper temperatures under normal working conditions, while thesight-opening 16 serves the purpose of permittin the detection, by theoccupant of the car, org any abnormal rise in the temperature whichwould indicate that the engine was runnin hot, whether in the daytime orat night, 1n the latter instance the illumination of the headlight 25 ofthe machine serving to throw into relief the mercury within thethermometer, which is greatly magnified by the lens or crystal 11, asmore particularly shown in Fi 4.

Having t us described my invention, what I claim as new herein anddesire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. An indicator adapted to be attached to the radiator of an automobile,comprising movable indicatin means iniiuenc'ed by varying conditions dithe Water within the radiator, a dial provided with scale indicationsfor indicating the movement of the indicating means, said dial beingprovided with a sight-opening, and crystals in front and rear of saiddial-plate and indicating means.

2. A device of the character described, comprisin athermometer, anannular casing there or composed of a ring provided with a securingortion for attachment to an automobile radiator, a dial-plate providedwith suitable scale graduations and having a sight-aperture positionedadjacent the thermometer, a lens in front and rear of the saiddial-plate and thermometer, means for securing the said dial-plate andthermometer and. lenses to the ring, and insulating composition betweenthe said ring and the thermometer, and a protecting thimble or capsurrounding the lower portion of the thermometer and connected to thesecuring portion of the ring.

3. In a device of the character described, comprising a thermometer, acasing therefor comprising an annular body portion provided with meansfor attachment to the cap of an automobile radiator, an aperturedannular dial-plate having graduated indications thereon, a pair ofmagnify'n lenses at the front and rear of the dia -pFate andthermometer, and securing rings engaging the peripheral edge of the lensand secured to the body portion, a cement-like insulating materialbetween the thermometer and the body portion and insulating the sametherefrom, and a protecting thimble or cap surrounding the lower portionof the thermometer and having screw-threaded connection with the bodportion.

4. Means or indicating the thermal condition of the engine of anautomobile having an internal combustion engine provided with a liquidcirculation cooling system, comprising the combination with the coolingsystem, of an indicating device having an indicating part readable fromthe drivers seat of the automobile, and Vhavinga temperature responsiveelement located in a position to be influenced by changes of temperaturewithin the cooling system.

5. Means for indicating the thermal condition of the engine of anautomobile provided with a liquid circulation cooling system including aradiator,` comprising the combination with the radiator, of an indi-`cating device mounted thereon having an indicating nari', readable fromthe drivers seat of the automobile and a temperature responsive part solocated as to be influenced by the temperature within the radiator.

6. Means for indicating the thermal condition of the engine of anautomobile having an internal combustion engine provided with a liquidcirculation cooling system including a radiator having a filler spoutclosed by a cap, comprising the combination with the radiator and cap,of a thermometer mounted on said cap and so constructed as to bereadable from the drivers seat of the automobile, the temperatureresponsive element of said thermometer projecting through said cap intoa position to be infiuenced by temperatures Within the radiator.

7. The combination with a cap for an automobile radiator, of aninstrument mounted thereon for indicating temperature change, saidinstrument having a temperature responsive part projecting below theradiator cap and an indicating part projecting above the radiator capand of such a character that a temperature change indication thereof isvisible from the drivers seat of the automobile.

8. In an instrument for indicating abnormal thermal condition-s of theengin'e of an automobile, an indicating element, and a dial plateassociated therewith, said dial plate having an aperture therethroughsubstantially coinciding with the zone of danger indication of saidindicating element.

9. In an instrument for indicating abnormal thermal conditions of theengine of an automobile and adapted to be mounted upon the radiator ofthe automobile, the combination with the indicating element of theinstrument, of a dial plate associated therewith having an aperturetherethrough permitting substantially uninterrupted vision through saidinstrument.

10. In an instrument for indicating the thermal condition of anautomobile engine and adapted to be mounted upon the top ci the radiatorof said engine, the combination of a supporting frame, an aperturedbacking plate carried-by said frame and an indicating element carried bysaid frame in front of said backing plate and adapted to pass across orin front of said aperture under certain thermal conditions, visionthrough said aperture beingI substantially unobstructed except by thepassage of said indicating element across the same.

11. In an instrument for indicating the thermal condition of the engineof an automobile, the combination of a frame adapted to be mounted onthe top of the radiator of the automobile, a glass tube thermometercarried by said frame, the tube portion of the thermometer extendingabove the top of theV radiator, said frame having a backing platelocated back of said tube, said backing plate having an aperturetherethrough across which said tube passes, vision through said aperturebeing substantially unobstructed except by the indicating liquid in saidtube, when said liquid rises in the tube to the height of the aperture.

12. In an instrument for indicating the thermal condition of the engineof an automobile, the combination of a frame adapted to be mounted uponthe cap of the radiator of the automobile engine, a glass tubethermometer carried by said frame with the tube portion thereofprojectin above said radiator cap, a portion of sai frame forming aguard or protector for said tube, crystals carried by said frame infront and rear of said tube, and a backing plate carried by said framein rear of said tube and having an aperture therethrough across whichsaid tube passes, the bulb ortion of said thermemeter projecting be owsaid radiator cap into the radiator.

13. In an instrument for indicating the thermal condition 0f the engineof an automobile, the combination with a temperature indicating element,of a backin plate across which the Same moves when in icating dangerousthermal conditions, said backing plate having a contrasting danger zoneindication of such extent and so located as to correspond substantiallywith the range of movement of the indicating element when indicatingdanger, whereby danger-indicating positions of the indicating elementare made easily noticeable.

14. The combination with a cap for the filler spout of an automobileradiator, of a frame mounted on said cap and having a glass tubethermometer mounted therein with its bulb adapted to project into theradiator, the tube art of the thermometer projecting partly a ove saidcap, a portion of said frame forming a guard for protecting saidprojecting part of the thermometer against breakage, said frame beingopen at the front and rear to permit vision through the instrument.

15. The combination with an automobile radiator, of an instrumentmounted thereon for indicating thermal conditions in the radiator, saidinstrument including temperature indicating means and a protectivecasing therefor, said casing being at least partly open in both frontand rear to permit vision through.the instrument.

16.' The combination with an automobile radiator, of an instrumentmounted thereon for indicating thermal conditions in the radiator, saidinstrument including a glass tube thermometer, the bulb of whichprojects into the radiator and a portion of the tube of which projectsabove the top of the radiator, and a protective casing thereforinclosing the projecting portion of the thermometer tube, said caslngbeing formed of metal with a window of transparent material in front ofsaid thermometer tube and facing in the direction of the driver of theautomobile, the thermometer being of a character to be readily observedby the driver when operating the automobile.

17. In an instrument adapted to be mounted on. an automobile radiator,the combination with a frame or casing, of flat shape, wider than itsthickness, means for securing the same edgewise upon a radiator in aplane substantial] vertical and at right angles to the axis ci' theautomobile, temperature change indicating means carried by said frameand including a tem erature responsive part projecting into t eradiator, and reference indicia for assisting in the observation of thetemperature change indication carried by said frame.

18. In an instrument adapted to be mounted on an automobile radiator,the combination of a frame of greater Width than thickness, having atransverse openin therethrough in the direction of its t ickness, meansfor securing the frame edgewise upon the radiator in a planesubstantially vertical a'nd at right angles to the axis of theautomobile, and a temperature change indicating means carried by saidframe including a temperature responsive element projecting into theradiator and having a glass tube crossing the opening in said frame, andmeans carried by the frame bearing indicia for assisting in theobservation of tem erature change indication, said indicia ing arlrangedat opposite sides of said glass tu e.

19. In an instrument adapted to be mounted on anautomobile radiator, thecombination with a frame or casing of annular form, much thinner thanits diameter, means for securing the said frame edgewise upon theradiator in a plane substantially vertical and at right angles to theaxis of the automobile, a temperature change indicating device carriedby said frame and including a temperature responsive element projectinginto the radiator, and a temperature indicating part extending acrossthe frame and a circular dial plate of substantially the outlines ofsaid frame attached to said frame in the rear of said temperatureindicating means.

20. In an instrument adapted to be mounted on an automobile radiator,the combination with a frame on casing of annular form and thinner thanits diameter, means for securin the same edgewise upon the radiator in ap ane substantially verticaland at'ri ht angles to the axis of theautomobile, a g ass tube thermometer carried 'by said frame and having abulb projecting into the radiator, and a tube extending substantiallydiametrically across said frame, and circular crystals attached tothesaid frame in front and rear of said tube.

21. In an instrument adapted to be mounted on an automobile radiator,the combination of a frame or casing of annular form, means for securingthe same edgewise upon the radiator in a plane substantially `verticaland at right anglles to the axis of the automobile, a circular ial platecarried by said frame, a thermometer ,carried by said frame andextending across the same in front of said dial plate, the bulb of saidthermometer being adapted to project into the radiator and crystalsinclosing said dial plate and thermometer.

22. In an instrument adapted to be mounted on an automobile radiator,the combination of a frame or casing having a circular openingtherethrou h, annularcountersinks formed around sai opening, circularcrystals, annular retaining rings fitting in said countersinks andsecuring said crystals upon opposite sides of said frame, and tempera--ture indicating means inclosed between said crystals and a temperatureresponsive element controlling said temperature indicating means andbeing adapted to project into the radiator.

23. In an instrument adapted to be mounted on an automobile radiator,the combination of a frame or casing having a circular openingtherethrough and an annular countersink surrounding said opening, meansfor securing said frame edgewise upon the radiator 1n a planesubstantially vertical and at right angles to the axis of theautomobile, a thermometer mounted on said frame and havin its tubecrossing said circular opening su stantially diametrically and acircular dial plate mounted in said countersink in rear of saidthermometer tube, the bulb of said thermometer projecting into theradiator. r

24. In an instrument adapted to be mounted on an automobile radiator,the combination of a frame or casing having a circular openingtherethrough and annular countersinks surrounding said o ening, meansfor securing said frame e gewise upon the radiator in a planesubstantially vertical and at right angles to the axis of theautomobile, a thermometer carried by said frame and having its tubeextendingsubstantially diametrically across said opening and its bulbprojecting into the radiator, a dial plate mounted 1n one of saidcountersinks in the rear of said thermometer tube, crystals inelosingsaid thermometer tube and dial plate and annular retaining rings forsaid crystals.

25. In combination with a vehicle, having an internal combustionpropelling motor, a Huid containing means associated therewith so as tobe influenced by temperatures of the motor structure and means forshowin normal and undesirable conditions o the power-plant, comprising apart mounted in tem erature-responsive relationship to the Hui-containing means to be controlled by the changes in the temperature ofsaid motor structure, and a sight indicator part associated with saidfirst mentioned part, adapted to be affected by the changin temperatureconditions of the latter and ocated to be read by the operator of thevehicle while driving the same, smid indicator part; being In witnesswhereof I have hereunto .set adn-{ited to present vurving indicationsnormy hand in the presence of two subscriblng mul to serve as a gui efor the operator in witnesses.

drivlng the motor at proper temperatures HARRISM HURLBERT ROYCE. 5 andabnormally as a warnin to prevent; o1' Witnesses:

overcome undesirable con itions in the CHAB. LYON RUSSELL,

WM. C. DUNN.

power plant.

DISCLAIMER 11,275,654.Harr1`on Heribert Boyce, Oyster Bay, N. Y.INnicA'riNG Mnaivs ron Moron-Piiornminn Viinicnns. Patent dated August13, 1918. Disclaimer 'filed May 13, 1932, by the patentee, sai Boyce,Leander Devolo man! Corporation., a. party of interest, and Moto MeterGauge cb Equipment orporation, exclusive licensee, assenting. l Herebyenters this disclaimer to claims 4 and 25 of said patent, which are inthe followin words, to wit: 4. cans for indicating the thermal conditionof the engine of an automobile having an internal combustion engineprovided with a liquid circulation cooling g the combination with thecooling system, oi an indicating device having an indicating partreadable from the drivers seat of the automobile, and having atemperature res nsive element located in a position to be inuenced bychanges of temperature within the coolinsystem.

25. In combination with a vehicle, aving an internal combustionsropelling motor, a fluid containing means associated therewith soas tobe influence by teniperatures of the motor structure and means forshowing normal and undesirable conditions of the powerlant, comprising apart mounted in temperature-responsive relationship to the ilucontaining means to be controlled by the changes in the temperature ofsaid motor structure, and a sight indicator part associated with saidfirst mentioned art, adapted to be affected by the chaning temperatureconditions of the latter and located to be read by the operator of t evehicle while drivin the same, said indicator part being adapted topresent varying indications normal y to serve as a guide for theoperator in driving the motor at proper temperatures and abnormally as awarning to prevent or overcome undesirable conditions in the powerplant.

[Qicial Gazette May 31, 1932.1

